Gertie Bridges

EAST PRAIRIE -- Gertie Hale Bridges, 83, died at 6:28 a.m. June 6, 2002, at the East Prairie Nursing Center.

Born Jan. 17, 1919, at Petit Jean Mountain, Ark., daughter of the late Jim and Ethel Cunningham Hale, she had lived in Mississippi County most of her life. A retired farmer, she was a member of the First Church of God in East Prairie, where she was also a Sunday school teacher. She was also very active as a volunteer at the East Prairie Nutrition Center.

In 1956, she married Ben Simpkins who preceded her in death in 1973.

In 1985, she married Ray Bridges who also preceded her in death in 1988.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters and one stepson.

Survivors include: three sons, Wilbur Hale of DeSoto, Donnie Wolford of Sikeston and James "Jim" Simpkins of Louisville, Ky.; three daughters, Patsy Grogan and Arvella Brown of East Prairie and Connie Moore of Festus; two stepdaughters, Bernice Thresher of LaCenter, Ky., and Mattie Prince of Charleston; three stepsons, Carl Simpkins and Roy Simpkins of East Prairie and Johnny Simpkins of Charleston; three brothers, Bertie Hale of East Prairie, Eugene Hale of Morristown, Tenn., and Lowell Hale of Pekin, Ill.; one sister, Pauline Cooper of St. James; and 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Services were conducted Saturday at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. Larry Smith and Rob Kesplher officiated.

Burial followed in the Dogwood Cemetery with Shelby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were: Kevin Moore, Chris Whittaker, Rick Givens, Mike Hutcheson, J.D. Swain and David McDermott.